The Balrogs of Middle-earth (Updated)

The Balrogs of Middle-earth were fearsome foes of the Free Peoples from the Years of the Trees through the end of the Third Age and possibly beyond. Thank you all so much for watching, let me know your thoughts about this video and its topic in the comments below! As always, a great thanks to the online artists whose visual works made this video possible! If you are one of the artists, please let me know and I will post your name and a link to your work in this description!
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Melkor (Morgoth)- Epic Character History (Part I):
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The Tale of the Children of Húrin (Silmarillion) (Part I):
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[@sephirothdomain1]

As a child I fought the balrog multiple times in the land I called the backyard

[@Devin_J]

same here bro

[@connormcgregor3139]

Haha thats cute

[@MrGhost-fe4tc]

Justin Snyder same here

[@tima5033]

I bet that balrog never got past you

[@sephirothdomain1]

@@tima5033 not with princess zelda to save .. All I had was my imagination lol thanks for the comment 👍

[@ivellos]

Ecthelion, Glorfindel, Gandalf... If you fight a Balrog, you die. Even if you win.

[@strider04]

Rog and his house as well although he was not very well know due to his name which is upsetting. He in fact killed the first balrog.

[@Gigasius]

True. But statistically, you will also have a 2/3 chance of getting reborn.

[@farahahmed8201]

Also feanor

[@flynn659]

What about Tuor?

[@just_cade]

Fingon was also killed by Gothmog.

[@snakes3425]

The way I see the debate about how many Balrogs there were: 7 Great Balrogs who formed Morgoth's personal guard, and numerous lesser Balrogs

[@nmarbletoe8210]

yes that makes sense. Like we have the Greater Prairie Chicken and the Lesser Prairie Chicken. . Also they wouldn't all be evil, probably, since Morgoth had to convince them to go to his side. Any that he never reached would just be fire elemental types I suppose. If they lived nearby, you could visit one to borrow a cup of embers.

[@concept5631]

That actually makes a lot of sense.

[@concept5631]

@@nmarbletoe8210 A Balrog is a corrupted Maiar. If a Balrog wasn't corrupted by Melkor, they would just be a regular Maiar.

[@wellis3891]

The balrogs were always my favourite evil creatures in Tolkien writings

[@jimmorgan8688]

They are not evil, just misunderstood! 😞

[@alanpennie8013]

@@jimmorgan8688 Schroedinger's wings

[@JeanLucCaptain]

I wonder who balrogs would stack against the greater demons of CHOAS from Warhammer?

[@Lightwish01]

As for not being evil and the Balrogs just simply being misunderstood....I do NOT subscribe to this theory at all. I feel that Morgoth and his servants are evil or at least as close to pure evil as possible even if their overall intentions were to create an ordered society I think that this ordered society again would be evil or as close to pure evil as you can get.

[@wellis3891]

Lightwish Light Yeet

[@jebpayne1710]

Balrogs are one of the coolest creatures in the tolkien universe, unique to his world. I love how Aragorn and Boromir jumped forward to fight Durin's Bane along side Gandalf but Gimli covered his face and Legolas "wailed" (assuming in fear). Always thought that was an interesting decision by Tolkien, your thoughts?

[@jakealter5504]

Jeb Payne boromir and Aragorn would’ve been useless against durins bane

[@jebpayne1710]

@@jakealter5504 they probably would of died, but men (Tuor) slayed balrogs before so maybe the two of then could of done some damage. Gandalf was really tired and worn out when he fought the balrog, if he was in full power it would of been quicker in my opinion.

[@Jayjen35]

I think it's simply that Legolas and Gimli knew exactly who and what they were facing while Aragorn and Boromir didn't. Rather the stories of them would be closer to the original accounts than anything that Aragorn would have heard and it's a question as to whether Boromir would have heard of the Balrog at all.

[@cidron9201]

Legolas and Gimli failed their "fear saving throw"

[@jebpayne1710]

@@Jayjen35 i feel like Aragorn would know just as well as Legolas, since he grew up in Rivendell, being raised by Elrond. Gimli being fearful makes sense, since Durins Bane killed so many dwarves, their kings amd took over their homeland. I agree Boromir probably had no clue about them, he knew very little about rivendell and Elrond, so i doubt he knew what a Balrog is.

[@drakethornix6954]

Wonder how a convo between Gandalf and Glorfindel would go. "So? You sacrificed yourself to save your friends and killed a balrog by tossing it off a mountain peak, getting killed in the process and being reborn later as well?" "Yep."

[@thevalarauka101]

and of course, they did meet each other at Rivendell - though that was before Gandalf did his thing

[@alpharius2omegaboogaloo384]

@@thevalarauka101I imagine they once again did after Sauron was defeated.

[@thevalarauka101]

@@alpharius2omegaboogaloo384 assuming Glorfindel hadn't already left Rivendell by the time Gandalf got there (though I guess either way they would meet again in Aman in the end)

[@redblaze8700]

A Balrog of Morgoth! What did you say? A Balrog of Morgoth! What did you say?

[@darklordmorgoth2543]

They are taking the Hobbits to Isengard!

[@redblaze8700]

Stupid fat hobbit!

[@jedinicklas]

Leave now ! And never come back !

[@jedinicklas]

What's taters, precious, what's taters, eh?

[@josephkoester3217]

Legolas! What do your elf eyes see?

[@madambutterfly1997]

if Gothmog had lived into the 3rd age, he couldve been Sauron's 2nd in command or even the 3rd Dark Lord as he was considered equal in power to Sauron himself

[@jakealter5504]

Hasan Wilson he was equal in rank, not in power

[@madambutterfly1997]

@@jakealter5504 you wouldnt give equal rank if theres a clear gap of strength between them

[@Jayyy667]

HAIL GOTHMOG

[@danushkaweerasekara4901]

Actually Sauron is more powerful than balrogs because Of his craftsmanship, he was a Miar of Aule. and he was a sorcerer who can take many forms such as Anatar, werewolf, snake, bat. If you read Beren and luthien you can understand more about Sauron. However, balrogs are specialists of war thats why Gothmog was the lieutenant of Morgoth's armies.

[@tolkienfan4815]

just think if at the battle of the black gate a frickin balrog jumps out !

[@neorich59]

"There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world." "Far, far below the deepest delvingsof the Dwarves, the world is gnawed by nameless things. Even Sauron knows them not. They are older than he."

[@08995]

Sauron was their commander once, so he actually knows Balrogs very well.

[@IoanCenturion]

@@08995 He wasn't necessarily talking about Balrogs. Also I don't think he ever actually commanded them.

[@turtleb7990]

@@08995 Morgoth / Melkor commanded balrogs, and considering they are similar level to Sauron in the grand scheme of things (Both corrupted maia) i doubt Sauron would ever have the power to control them, especially considering with each age his spirit weakens, e.g he loses shapeshift ability, then proceeds to lose any form of being, after suffering defeat after defeat (last being the drowning of Numenor) although Sauron would have fought side by side with them in the first age, and possibly the 2nd.

[@serrobertstrong1377]

@@turtleb7990 Yeah, Sauron never had any power whatsoever over the Balrogs. They answered only to Melkor and to Gothmog (their commander), who was also equal in rank to Sauron.

[@danielhamilton351]

Ummm, wrong. Sauron had command over Angband while Morgoth was away, so he did have some control over the Balrogs.

[@smithy3211]

Just imagine that at least 1 or 2 Balrogs are still lurking somewhere in the roots of the earth !

[@iamalpharius9483]

One good AT-4 rocket to its body and bye bye.

[@genghiskhan7662]

@@iamalpharius9483 I know this comment is 3 months old but the guy with the rocket launcher wouldn't even miss, because he would never even get the shot off. He'd piss his pants and pass out. When Legolas realized there was a Balrog coming, before really even seeing it, he dropped his arrow in despair. Balrogs strike fear into the hearts of mortals, and no mortal EVER survived a fight with one. Even when Ecthelion took down 3 at once, he died. Gandalf was a sorta-mortal and he died.

[@iamalpharius9483]

@@genghiskhan7662 shoot....Not everyone reads the comments on the same day...😀 And yes....for me personally, it would be breeches crapping time.

[@g24thinf]

A Balrog? Hold my beer!

[@whiderboss]

@@g24thinf -And my axe-

[@thevoidlookspretty7079]

I love thinking about what Gandalf was thinking when he realized it was a Balrog. “Ahh, ahh, why is this here? This freaking thing is from the past! I THOUGHT I WAS DONE WITH THIS!” I also love what Legolas said about it. “Eek, a Balrog!” Just, how poetic.

[@thesinfultictac5704]

I read it a lot as "You guys again?! "

[@jackmcdonnell8505]

THIS VIDEO SHALL NOT PASS

[@JeanLucCaptain]

I order you as King of Gondolin to stand aside 😂

[@jackmcdonnell8505]

Jean-Luc Martel I move for no man!!

[@daunleu]

I fell from my chair laughing

[@serrobertstrong1377]

The dislikes will not avail you, troll of Udun!

[@ForGlory]

LotR has WELL EARNED its place at the top of fantasy! Holy moly, this guy can write!

[@theoneaboveall6768]

For Glory! He is the best fucked up imagination fantasy writer of all time. I mean he must have been dreaming this shit at 3 years old

[@gene108]

Tolkien was an English professor, and linguist/philologist. He had command of modern English, Middle English, and old English. After his service in WW1, he was tinkering with making his own language, which would become Elven, but a language needs speakers to give it life. So he created Middle Earth over many years, with some of the tales starting out as bedtime stories for his children

[@arcfig]

@snowflaked soul A lot of people will hate you for this

[@289hipo]

Been a LOTR devotee for close to 50 years, had seen the clumsy dorky LOTR movies along the way, figured cinema could never capture the expanse and depth of Tolkien's work - how could you assemble 1000 extras to play the Orc armies? Then Peter Jackson came along, and when I saw the Balrog depicted in the Fellowship of the Ring, I knew someone had finally met the challenge. Like Frodo defeating Sauron, Jackson had taken our imaginations and brought them to life. A thousand thank-yous, Mr. Jackson!👍🤟👏☝️🤙

[@elfuego2899]

Sometimes I find it hard to believe there are no more Balrogs since they were so powerful. Like I know the avalar came and slapped them all up but still there has to be more somewhere

[@wojta610cz5]

Maybe are. When Gandalf talking about fighting balrog he says: I saw meny monsters worse than orcs

[@kamieaston3016]

It's likely that the Balrog fled deep into the mantle or below the crust, somewhere other beings cannot go. Because as mentioned the Dwarves dug so deep that they awoke one such Balrog.

[@pashabesharaty8794]

There were as many as 7 balrogs in Tolkien's revised writings, and not all were accounted for...

[@TheGrandMeat2286]

@@wojta610cz5 Well, if you were to watch the videos about the Unknown Things, made recently by MotW and Geekzone, he said that about them. Even going as far as to say that he wouldn't speak about them. So I'd think it wasn't other Balrogs, since I feel like the Balrogs wouldn't want to share custody of a home.

[@kingaragornii9940]

*"it's a Balrog of Morgoth."*

[@kennethsatria6607]

I love how ominous and feared they are in the writing

[@4c59ff5]

It seems very unlikely that Durin’s Bane was linked to Sauron at all. When servants of Sauron we’re near Frodo, the Ring called to him and he felt compelled to put it on his finger. Twice Frodo was near the Balrog in Moria and twice he did not have that experience with the Ring. This strikes me as compelling evidence that Durin’s Bane was not a servant of Sauron. Morgoth yes, but Sauron no. If anything, this Balrog was likely leaderless and acted of his own accord, confronting what the Balrog may have perceived of as enemies intruding into his domain. Perhaps this Balrog even felt that Moria was his dominion.

[@martinbrankov8504]

You have a point!

[@shahzabeshah7304]

Balrogs aren’t servants of Sauron but of Morgoth. Their commander Gothmog was one of the highest if not highest commander of Morgoth’s armies. Sauron meant shit to these guys. That’s why you don’t see them in his army.

[@MM-dm4xj]

@@shahzabeshah7304 highest commander Was sauron

[@shahzabeshah7304]

@@MM-dm4xj you are right. I stand corrected.

[@burnedsmackdown4209]

Could be possible too Durin's Bane sensed Gandlaf was a Maia and knew he was a serious threat to his existence so he decided to attack fellowship in hopes of dealing with Gandalf

[@rafaelmehret5952]

2:00 "Balrogs 1000" sound like a cool name for a band

[@seanokeefe703]

Biker gang

[@12345678900987659101]

How terrible of the free peoples to genocide such a beautiful being. How will future generations of elves, dwarves, or men feel knowing they can never relish in seeing such a magnificent and majestic Balrog roaming in their city or countryside?

[@LocalHeretic-ck1kd]

Me ( in a crowd of other people ): I say we put him in the Zoo! A Balrog in disquise ( wearing wig, hat and a fake mustache ): I say we let him go! Let him slaughter everyone and anyone he wants and just be free and happy.

[@briansalva728]

@@LocalHeretic-ck1kd LOL You win

[@LocalHeretic-ck1kd]

@@briansalva728 Thank you. But I have to admit it was not my original idea. I got the idea from robot chicken sketch about Jaws where the shark does this thing. Go watch it if you want: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppzFkmCobbOggM0

[@jdoc3118]

Those racist free people man ...just sad : all those orc engineers and doctors too - along with the wonderful diversity they would enhance the West with - all gone in the name of racism . First they hunt to extinction endangered species , next they go on to claim they are better . Horrific .

[@JeanLucCaptain]

BALROG PARK THE ARCHOLIGISTS DELVED TO DEEP AND NOW WE WILL ALL BURN, COMING TO THEATRES 😎

[@Merlin07100]

"What is this new devilry?" A Balrog, a demon of the ancient world. Swords are no more use here!!"

[@BigBWolf90]

LotrKelly "this foe is beyond any of you......RUN!!!!"

[@jamesmckinney6768]

Yet Gandalf fights it with a sword as they fell? xD

[@seanparker7415]

@City Watch Guard I would like to see a Balrog square off against an Abrams, personally.

[@NR-rv8rz]

First read TLOTR in the late 70's as a teen and always wondered about Balrogs so thanks a lot for that.

[@stevemanart]

Balrogs are so cool that they show up twice in the D&D monster manuals. The Balor (greatest non-unique fiend of chaos and evil) and the Pit Lord (greatest non-unique fiend of law and evil). The Balor is such an on-the-nose copy that I've seen people doing Tolkien videos use D&D Balor art for Balrogs.

[@deathshock5072]

yea, just like hobbits...er...halflings, lol

[@oskartengberg8792]

One of my fav topics :D Sad the lore on balrogs is so scarce. But also add to the mystery of these beings.

[@glennross85]

"In an ancient age in a distant land an evil warlord ruled with an iron hand he rose beasts of war from the molten earth their allegiance sworn from their twisted birth they razed every village while the children screamed in Morgoths's name they rode supreme"

[@Strifegar]

Gandalf was such a bad ass. He totally stood for honor, loyalty and bravery. Such a contrast from when he was first chosen to come to Middle Earth.

[@hawaiianr6]

Hey man been with the Channel since 10k. I have seen all of your video's. When you hit 50k and then 100k now almost 150k. Keep it up man and I will always be here to watch your videos which give me ease when I am in pain or feeling depressed. Wither I have seen videos before or not I always feel happy to watch your videos. I believe that 2019 is Your Year.

[@MenoftheWest]

Captain Future - Sea of Thieves Hey, thank you so much for the dedicated support and for sticking with my channel for so long. It means so much to me that my videos are able to help give you some comfort. I really appreciate you! Have a great day, my friend!

[@franlovelsimic8421]

Make 2019 not MOTW's but your year as well my dude!

[@Dr_Cole]

I’ve been catching up on your older videos, including these updates. Your work is epic. Not only is it well researched, but your story crafting is captivating. Thank you for this rich and bountiful encyclopedia of stories about Tolkien’s legendarium!

[@blupunk01]

I presume that Sauron had a sort of understanding with Druin's Bane since it allowed his orcs and trolls to inhabit the place and Sauron's messenger offered to return Moria to Dáin II (although that could have been an empty promise). I've long wondered if the Balrog could sense the One Ring's presence in its domain and what it might have done have it managed to kill the Fellowship and seize it.

[@christianbolze7092]

He would have fought with Sauron then, i reckon.

[@yey7-]

I'd only seen the lord of the rings trilogy twice in the first 18 years of my life. I stumbled upon this channel by accident in my early twenties, and have since bought the book trilogy along with the hobbit, and watched the movies again. I even got my sister, who does not like fantasy at all, to watch the movies with me. She loved them. Thank you friend. This is a great channel, and the love you have for Tolkien's world is a marvel that makes all of our lives a little bit more enjoyable. Cheers.

[@shadowranger5907]

Yay another video from the best lord of the rings youtuber!!!!

[@WasabiSniffer]

I love Gandalf’s dialog on the bridge. Besides sounding epic, it was a declaration of who he was and who he served, but only to those in the know

[@JustNatax3]

There just must be a Balrog left somewhere deep in the depths of Middle Earth, like Lovecrafts Cthulu resting in the depth of the ocean, such amazing creatures cannot just be all vanished...

[@emc2184]

I thought I was a fan of "Lord of the Rings", ... until I found yours & other youtube videos about the whole world of it all........ WOW, ..... is all I can say...........

[@sealfan1000]

Thank you! I had never read The Lord of the Rings until I saw The Fellowship of the Ring film. When I saw Gandalf stand up to the Balrog, I understood the Depth of the canon and bought the book and read it and The Hobbit.

[@JabbatheBen]

Yes! Thanks for posting! Great way to end my night!

[@admiralnips8294]

Love the update and the vids. Solid content and visible effort are much appreciated as a viewer. Keep it up mate!

[@kirkhenry3867]

Your pronunciations are spot-on! My favorite book, thank you for making this wonderful video!!

[@ryanhutchins2634]

Balrogs are awesome. If you haven't already, I highly recommend playing "Mordor: Shadow of War," where you can fight the balrog Tar-Goroth. When you come out of cut scenes and set action sequences and actually have to face him in free play, it gives you a new appreciation for how poopy pants that experience would be. Ecthelion is braver than me.

[@MistahBryan]

The best part of your videos has always been the way you sum up the story and turn it into a lesson we can take to heart. :)

[@justinwindham3420]

Great video as always! These videos make my day. I’m happy to see your channel and this community growing.

[@COOLAUSTINO]

So, this is my first video of yours I’m watching, and your pronunciations are awesome. I got a bunch of information I never had before watching this video as well. I’m subbing for sure.

[@marduk1734]

for those who wonder, why Balrog in the movies (and games) has the ram's horns, the ram's skull is a symbol of fire, power (firepower...) and as the result, destruction. Chaos Sorcerers, like Ahriman, also use the same symbol in even darker context.

[@rorydonaldson2794]

Last week when you told us you were going to reboot this video i got really excited. Excitement well placed, superb video mate

[@davesmith4839]

Really like this video, I’ve watched it prolly five times before, such a good job covering these beings of middle earth

[@DOLLHAUSPRODUCTION]

This Video had so much information, throughout the ages. I enjoy your Videos and have learned so much. Thank You.

[@apdarkness905]

This is great, the Balrogs are, for me, some of the most fascinating aspects of the Legendarium and you're history of the Demons of Night is wonderfully put together and presented. Once again you've done a fantastic job, well done.

[@joeschook792]

I love your videos. You go so in-depth on the various lores. And you have a good voice for narration. Thanks for this great insight on balrogs

[@williamwyckoff]

Beautiful, it's amazing to see how this channel has grown.

[@samuelolson4237]

Thank you for the video, Balrogs always fascinated me thanks for the in depth view into this fascinating beast of Middle Earth.

[@hollish196]

Thanks so much for this addition to the knowledge of the Middle Earth.

[@Galimeer5]

I like to imagine that the ~7 balrogs that existed are just the ones the elves recorded. After the War of Wrath and Morgoth's banishment, there were still an unknown number of balrogs unaccounted for. Durin's Bane was just one of them.

[@davidnichols8285]

Mellon, Annon Allen! And well Met! Thank you for your wisdom.

[@dietrichahlers6125]

I didn't even know channel s like you existed. Someone who loves lotr as much as me? Who knows the history of middle Earth? SUBSCRIBED

[@martinbrankov8504]

I found it recently it’s amazing!

[@adam45z]

Thank you for all of your great workon these videos. I recently found your channel and i am trying to watch them all! 😁

[@katrinakolada1066]

I love your channel & am super thankful that you put out content like this. If you are still making epic character stories I’d really appreciate a video on Smaug, he is one of my favorite characters. Thanks ❤️

[@Strifegar]

I love your channel! I almost didn't watch this because I saw the first one, I guess, but now I'm glad I did. Great videos!

[@seankiely3885]

What a fantastically composed video, great work Yoystan!!! keep it up

[@jordonpilling]

I often wonder if Gandalf ever encountered a balrog in his Olórin days? He was considered 2nd of the the Istari - a decision by Varda herself (as i understand it), surly to earn such respect he must have intimate knowledge and experience with Melkor and his companions (including balrogs) - would love to know more! Keep up the good work! PS: Will we see an epic character history for Olórin soon? A daunting task for 20 minute videos - but it will be worth it :)

[@adinocc2042]

I think the Balrog(s) is/are my favorite part of LOTR. They look so cool and are both mysterious and powerful entities at once!

[@ronissetravelsmore688]

Yoystan is the man! I love all of his lord if the rings videos. Inspired me to go deeper into the story. I would love to start lotr videos in my channel too, credits to this amazing person!👏

[@nikovidya7994]

Balrogs seem like a very characteristically-Tolkien mixture of fallen angels from Christian myth and Jotunn from Norse myth ("Eoten" in Old English :D).

[@c.l.l.studios559]

"Christian myth"

[@user-sq1nc5ot8m]

C.L.L. Studios and “Norse myth”... should be Norse fact, am I right.

[@smolpp585]

@@c.l.l.studios559 i mean, it's not real so....

[@triptiti]

Thank you my friend for these awesome videos. I'm a fan of Tolkien for about 5 years and 2019 is my year of "No day without Middle-Earth". So i'm glad you keep making us happy enery week. Have a good day!

[@TheBenjamin119]

great update Yoystan. The Balrogs are one of my favorite parts of the legendarium. Keep up the good work

[@noreavad]

Great narration , great content, great graphics and a soothing voice. Nice background music. I could listen to a 3H long special from you with a nice cup of tea or two. Thank you Men of the West.

[@oyonan]

I’ve waited a long time for this one, and I look forward to the next!

[@SharonKofoed]

Thanks for this fantastic roundup of Balrog info!

[@GarretGarlinger]

well made! I love it! thank you so much!

[@eoinjenkinson6236]

Your videos are brilliant man, thank you!

[@IronRAVENxvx]

Imagine being just some random horseman of the Rohirrim and these things came to battle en masse...

[@skzanarchist]

'Random horsemen'😂

[@riyazpatel5377]

They Be Like- What Is this new devilry?😂

[@koscherness]

Hey Yostan, can you make a "What if farmer Maggot got the One Ring" video? We really enjoy listening to your videos!

[@brianjauch9958]

Koscherness- Or Butterbur of the dancing pony?

[@tolkienfan4815]

+Brian Jauch or better yet : Rosie cotton.

[@o00nemesis00o]

Tulkas greatestindeedsofstrengthandprowess ALL HOBBITS WILL LOVE ME AND DESPAIR

[@mr.makeemup5093]

Man the end there felt really cold. Usually you really put some soul into your typically delightful conclusion of positive words. Just some respectful and tactful criticism... Don't let the potential cash you earn through the opportunities your passion has given to you corrupt and therefore judge how you create your videos, because all that will do is highlight any potential holes in your passion that was once without ugliness. I really love what you do Yoystan and this is simply a fan who respects you that is worried you'll become less authentic as you grow like the majority of youtubers now. Love you, man. Keep up the great work and thank you for putting a smile on my face every damn day. Much love, biggabegamer!

[@gobigblue6782]

In the world of Tolkein, the Balrogs were the harbinger of tragic deaths and defeat for the most part. Great background on one of my favorite evil characters. Such a great video, as always. Thanks once again.

[@holtzappledalton2153]

I love you're channel. Keep up the amazing work

[@AstenRegisTheFlipside]

Mate, that was EPIC. Great video.

[@bradmarthafocker4285]

These videos are pure gold. I'm hooked.

[@KozzyDaViking]

Great video dude, easily my favourite channel to get my Tolkien lore fix ☺️

[@Tadicuslegion78]

Would love to see someone make a short film about the Balrogs fighting Ungolient to save Morgoth. That would be an epic for the ages.

[@immortalinkofogden9949]

Love the channel. Great video as always.

[@thevalarauka101]

10:30 liking this illustration - it shows their size very well

[@ulvesparker]

I have long wondered (40+ years) about Glorfindel and why he seems to dismissively be omitted, repeatedly, from Tolkien lore. The journey through Moria is my favourite part of LOTR. Great video!

[@markuhler2664]

Outstanding video. Balrogs have always fascinated me, especially how they came to be. Corrupted Maiar are a frightening creature.

[@--Canon--]

Great video sir. Always love the stories.

[@ferdinandii6694]

idk if you read these comments but your voice is amazing and I love going to sleep hearing it :)

[@Sionnach1601]

Hi Yoystan, love your videos, your presentation and depth of research! Also love your friendliness and good naturedness. Here's a video title for you: "Why didn't Sauron become a Balrog?" "...of the Maiar many were drawn to [Melkor's] splendour in the days of his greatness, and remained in that allegiance down into his darkness; and others he corrupted afterwards to his service with lies and treacherous gifts. Dreadful among these spirits were the Valaraukar, the scourges of fire that in Middle-earth were called the Balrogs, demons of terror."

[@Sionnach1601]

So if Sauron was also a Maia, why is it that he didn't become (or choose to become) a Balrog? Yes, it is said that he was a previous master of shape shifting, yet the Balrog form never is mentioned. We're the Balrogs a different type of Maia? More crude and brutish perhaps, as they were an extremely formidable martial power? So it also begs the question: were there different forms of Maiar? If so, who, and what were they? And why was it that some were seduced by Melkor, while others did not? Big questions for you there I grant, but I think it is a very important aspect of musings on the second greatest, most powerful beings of Tolkien's world. Thank you again for all of your hugely enjoyable work. Slán, from Ireland. 👏😊

[@captainclipy6236]

I just watched your original Balrog video! Awesome to see this in your sub box!

[@theproteanbro5994]

This Man seriously out here explaining the fight between Grandalf and Durin's Bane, as if it wasn't the most famous moment in Toilikien History.

[@libertycentral6564]

Great video. The Silmarillion has so much rich history and background to LOTR and The Hobbit, but a lot of people cannot set themselves to reading it. These video's are great to uncover these stories.

[@MightOfChrist]

God those videos rly bring me back man keep it up

[@connorross4571]

I love your videos, keep it up man!!!

[@repugnant__6379]

Shire thanks you for the upload

[@connorgolden4]

Great video! The balrogs are my second favorite creatures in the lotr universe.

[@happywheeler4268]

This was really good and I am glad how you utilized your resources well. BTW, Durin's Bane killed Nain after Durin VI--I thought I heard Dain...but anyways, on this issue I feel everyone is right. Yes their were Seven Balrog Chiefs, the greatest of the Fire Spirits seduced by Morgoth, however, their were also hundreds of Fire Spirits or lesser Balrogs that fought as units in Morgoth's army. Though these numbers would have surely been reduced after the destruction of Utumno. If people believe that Morgoth only seduced Seven Fire Spirits, then that means that they would have to be so overwhelmingly powerful, that no dragon could have contended with them as they were the most rare, the other debate is this--why would he seduce only seven fire spirits if he had a bunch of shadow spirits to attack the moon--and most of the fire spirits followed him and Aule initially anyways because both dealt with forgings and the earth. I mean, Melkor did seduce a great undefined number of Aniur, Biblically speaking, I have always felt Melkor seduced 1/3, Manwe had 1/3, and Eru had 1/3 reside with him in Heaven. After the establishment of the Halls of Mandos and the destruction of Utumno, I feel that the 1/3 of Aniur of Manwe were replenished or reborn in Valinor, while those that were slain on Melkor's side, were pushed out of Arda and into the Void. With all this in mind, it is no doubt that Durin's Bane and Sauron had knowledge of each other, and that Durin's Bane was the undisputed ruler (chieftain) in the Misty Mountains (Moria).

[@bullrun2772]

Happy Wheeler yes and no

[@idnth8ubutidntprtclrlyliku]

Oh man, im on a video marathon for this channel

[@marias.595]

I found the subtitles in English , even if your diction is fabulous , now it's much better , I understand better Have a nice and magic year man from the North 🙏🎉😊👍🏼

[@AmarRoopSingh]

Awesome video. Thanks!

[@grimmmickey5125]

This was a well made video, Tolkien had such a elaborate and rich world but for many it's not clear however videos like these make the narrative easy to follow.

[@discomfort5760]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in The Silmarillion balrogs also were fire spirits from the beyond all Creation, which Morgoth is hinted to have infused his loyal maiar minions with. This made the Balrog unable to take another form but for the fire-infused evil shadow of the former maiar.

[@cybermeth_]

Awesome video as always! I’ve noticed that your use of tenses changes a lot, going from past tense to future tense. Also might want to brush up on your vowel pronunciation in Elvish names. Namárië tenna ent’ omentielva!

[@januzzell8631]

A joy to listen to as always :)